There are conflicting reports on Arsenal either willing or not willing to pay Thomas Partey’s €50m release clause to Atletico Madrid.
However, there is no doubt that the Gunners are interested in the defensive midfielder.
Libertad Digital claim that Arsenal are trying to convince Partey into passing up a contract extension. They have begun talks with the player’s representatives and are waiting to approach Atletico officially. Of course Partey himself has stated that he is happy at Madrid.
“Atlético is like my home, the place where I want to always be, it’s like my family. I hope to stay at the club, I would like to retire here, but you never know what can happen. I want to stay here until the club doesn’t love me,” the player said.
David Ornstein earlier reported that Arsenal were very strongly interested in Partey last summer. They could not afford his services after spending a majority of their budget on Nicolas Pepe.
Mikel Arteta is likely to be backed in the summer transfer market after showing clear improvements upon his arrival. He has also set in montion a clear style of football which was lacking under Unai Emery. Kike Marin claims that Arsenal might not be sold on the idea of paying €50m for Partey.
In hindsight, it could be a top move for the Gunners and Arteta. Like Pep Guardiola, the Arsenal boss depends on a creative deep-lying midfielder to generate his team’s attacks and control possession. Due to a lack of one, he has had to switch between Dani Ceballos and Lucas Torreira with both of them showing exactly what they lack – one defensively and one offensively.
READ MORE: Arsenal Highest Transfer Fees Paid And Received Ever
